Signs of the Times

What sort of sign were they wanting? Jesus has healed countless people, cast out demons, and multiplied bread and fish to feed thousands. What further evidence did they need? These Pharisees may have wanted something similar to the prophet Elijah, who called down fire from heaven, or for Jesus to dethrone Rome and liberate Israel from their occupation. But whatever the case, Jesus did not fit their expectations of how the Messiah should look. They wanted someone who fit their vision and assumptions—not this humble man dining with sinners and healing the sick.

This backdrop may expose why Jesus rejects their request for a sign from heaven. He does not bend to the requests of those seeking to test Him and force Him into their expectations. The sign of Jesus eventually rising from the dead and ascending into heaven will go far beyond what they could ever comprehend. But they will miss it because they are not looking for God; they are looking for someone to support their agenda.

There is a big difference between looking for the ways that God has revealed Himself, and testing God. Jesus will not bow to their desires for Him to prove Himself with a sign in the heavens. Jesus desires that we believe and trust Him in what He has revealed and shown us. He has given us more than enough reason to trust in Him for all our days.

Jesus desires for us to see Him as He has revealed Himself and not make Him fit our definitions of what He should be like. God is not like man. God is holy. The word ‘holy’ means separate and set apart from what is common or even expected. In His holiness, Jesus will not bow to people's expectations or agendas. He will nonetheless love and save and meet our deepest needs—and provide more than enough evidence to trust in Him.

In verse 12, we see Jesus sigh deeply in His spirit over their unbelief. Jesus grieves over unnecessary doubt in who He is and what He can do.